Harmony through diversity as well as the interconnections found in all things, are the main themes in the work of JoAnna Commandaros. Her work includes the use of multiples, ambiguity of disparate materials, media, and processes often challenging function and meaning of objects and space. JoAnna has created interactive installations and public works in the Pittsburgh area over the past several years, exploring the role of the artist as community collaborator and educator with sensitivity toward ecology. Nest, Rhizomes, Seeds is a current collaboration featuring root drawings as interactive, public installation with students from the University of Pittsburgh, Slippery Rock University and CAPA.
Commandaros is a member of Group A, Society of Sculptors and The Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh as well as a full time Instructor of Sculpture for the University of Pittsburgh’s Studio Arts Department. Commandaros earned her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and her MFA from Kent State University. She has exhibited and been awarded residencies in the United States, United Kingdom and Jamaica. Her work is in private collections abroad as well as in the United States.
